Why model Justin Lacko is a fan favourite in I’m a Celebrity

He makes no effort to hide his vanity and can be insensitive to his fellow campmates. So why do we love I’m A Celebrity … Get Me Out Of Here! contestant Justin Lacko so much that he’s considered a serious contender to win?

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He makes no effort to hide his vanity, can be insensitive to his fellow campers and his comments often leave us scratching our heads. So why do we love I’m A Celebrity … Get Me Out Of Here! contestant Justin Lacko so much?

The international model has captured the attention of viewers: he gets more screen time than any other contestant, has been put up for eight trial challenges and, let’s face it, he is easy on the eye.

The Network 10 reality show’s co-host Dr Chris Brown says the 28-year-old’s likability is undeniable. And it may just take him all the way to a series win.

Could the vain, often insensitive but ridiculously good-looking Justin Lacko win I’m A Celebrity? Picture: Channel 10

“He’s a curious character, I’m confused by him,” Dr Chris tells BW Magazine from the African jungle.

“He’s a human wheel of emotion, he can be so sensitive and emotional and then the most self-centred, egocentric, vain person around. And I think that’s what makes him so watchable. He leaves you scratching your head.”

Viewers saw another side to Lacko when he showed patience and gentle encouragement to help politician Jacqui Lambie through a challenging obstacle course — until she was injured and taken to hospital.

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It is during such challenges that the model shines. Lacko has won more food rewards for his campmates than any other contestant this series — a valuable currency of popularity when food is so scarce.

Justin Lacko has been continually chosen by fans to take part in the jungle trials. Picture: Channel 10

“Viewers choose contestants for the trials either to see someone they don’t like suffer, or because they just want to see more of someone,” Dr Chris says.

“Both are true of Justin. In an early trial Justin yelled at a doctor for attention because he’d been hurt on his nose, which ended up just a scratch. He wanted it known, though, that injuries to his face are not on.

“So I think the audience have thought ‘Bugger it, we’re going to keep putting your face on the line’.”

Dr Chris says viewers are also interested in Lacko’s lifestyle.

“He talks about his life in New York and hanging out with high-profile models,” Dr Chris says.

“But then his family is in the concreting business and he has said one of his favourite things to do is lay concrete. He’s a complete contradiction.”

Dr Chris adds this is what has also made him popular with the women in camp, like Goggleboxers Angie Kent and Yvie Jones, as well as the blokey blokes like AFL stars Dermott Brereton and Shane Crawford.

Evictee, ex-politician Sam Dastyari, says fellow campers find the male model equally puzzling.

The model is popular with the women in camp. Picture: Channel 10

“The camp spends 10 hours a day trying to work out what is going on with Justin,” Dastyari says.

“Like viewers, the campmates can’t decide if they want to jump him, strangle him or laugh at him.

“He came up to me and demanded the mirror. I pass it to him and he says ‘Phew — I’m still beautiful’. Those moments are priceless … and horrific.”

Network 10 head of entertainment and factual programming Stephen Tate says casting Lacko was a risk worth taking.

“We didn’t know what to expect from Justin … but the risk has certainly paid off,” Tate says.

“Justin owns every scene he’s in. It’s impossible not to sit forward when he speaks and … he seems completely unaware of what makes him so compelling — or is he?”

Originally published as Why model Justin Lacko is a fan favourite in I’m a Celebrity